Soldier Reenlists in Daughter’s Classroom

Killeen School District via Defend America ^ | October 28, 2004 | Todd Martin

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

U.S. Army Spc. Sammy M. Saenz chose to reenlist in his daughter's fourth-grade classroom. His wife Linda (left) and 9-year-old daughter Adriana look on during the Oct. 21, 2004 ceremony, held at Sugar Loaf Elementary School in Killeen, Texas. Photo courtesy Todd Martin, Killeen Independent School District.

U

Soldier Reenlists in Daughter’s Classroom

U

Iraqi Freedom veteran's reenlistment ceremony impresses daughter's fourth-grade classmates. U

By Todd Martin Killeen Independent School District FORT HOOD, Texas, Oct. 28, 2004 — In the middle of class, Oct. 21, a dozen soldiers in uniform filed into a classroom at Sugar Loaf Elementary School. Two in particular stood out. One soldier carried a United States flag. The other soldier carried two leather-bound certificates. Something official was about to happen. U “It’s nice to let the kids see this tradition we do,” Spc. Sammy M. Saenz. U Spc. Sammy M. Saenz of the 4th Corps Material Management Control, 13th Corps Support Command, reenlisted in the U.S. Army. He chose his daughter Adriana’s fourth-grade classroom for the ceremony. The students were so impressed by the ceremony that a few of them held up their hands as Saenz raised his right hand to repeat his oath. Saenz’s wife Linda and their 9-year-old daughter stood by proud and supportive. “It was for my daughter,” the soldier explained following the ceremony. “She was with me when I reenlisted before and we didn’t want to take her out of school this time. We asked and everyone here was really nice about it.” Principal Karl Bradley and secretary Paula Hayward tagged along with the group. Bradley and teacher Deborah Barber took their own photos.

At least a couple of other classes of students stood outside Barber’s classroom with their teachers to catch a peak of the ceremony. Staff Sgt. Roland Woleben, the unit’s reenlistment officer, said he tries to accommodate soldiers’ wishes regarding where they want their ceremony. He conducted ceremonies on the top of buildings, on tanks and in helicopters, he said. “It’s nice to let the kids see this tradition we do,” Saenz said. “A lot of what they see and hear is about war. This is something positive.” Saenz’s wife Linda indicated she would have attended the ceremony in any venue. “We did this for our daughter,” she said. “She really looks up to her dad. She has been there for the other reenlistments and for his promotions.” Saenz has served in the Army seven years, including a tour in Iraq in 2003. The teacher may have been as excited as anyone. “We’ve never done this before at Sugar Loaf,” she said. “I enjoyed it. I think it lifts morale to see the soldiers here. Some of them were raising their hands during the oath. I was very honored for him to come to my class. I felt like I was part of his family.” “It was great,” said a beaming Adriana of seeing her father reenlist in her classroom. “I always like to see my dad get reenlisted. My friends were thanking me for having him do it here.”

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

The students were so impressed by the ceremony that a few of them held up their hands as Saenz raised his right hand to repeat his oath.

“It was for my daughter,” the soldier explained.....

 

“It was great,” said a beaming Adriana.

 

~*~

[freepertoo]

VERY classy! Very cool.

[SandRat]

Now that warms an old soldiers heart.

[ASA Vet]

I once re-enlisted in a small kitchette. Only had room for me, a Lt, and my NCOIC.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The NEA is gonna be outraged!

Hehehehehe!!!

[zlala]

Love it!

[eyespysomething]

Tears in my eyes, I love our military bump.

[doug from upland]

This is as good as it gets!

[zlala]

OH...and God bless and watch over Spc. Sammy M. Saenz and his family!

[EBH]

Thanks for posting this story. It's a good reminder of who and what we're fighting for.

God Bless our Military

[daybreakcoming]

Only in Texas would this be allowed to happen in a public school but wait til the Austin lefties hear about it.
Thanks to this special man for his service and for caring so much about his daughter.

[LadyPilgrim]

Me tooooo! I've boo hooed for so many reasons this morning, and this is another "wonderful weep"!!!

[Gefreiter]

I thought the same thing.

Had the ACLU or local PTO/PTA known about this in advance, they would've fought like animals to stop it.

[hnorris]

God Bless Specialist Saenz and his Family!

[AppyPappy]

I know a guy who reenlisted in a cell once.

[the_devils_advocate_666]

Now THAT'S a great "show-and-tell"!

[agrace]

Great story. :)

[TXBubba]

I don't think they would be too anxious to try to stop this in Killeen. It is basically an all military town not a town with a base.

[eyespysomething]

I'm a boo hoo-er also. My hubby teases me all the time, especially when I cry at commercials.

Read this if you want to cry (or don't if you don't want to)

Open letter from 9/11 families for Bush
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1260328/posts